Photographic developing-machine.



H. A. BURKHART..

. PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MACHINIE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1'2', 1917- Patented May 7,1918.

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WITNESSES ATTORNEY he n H. A. BURKHART.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 12. 1911. y 1,265,169. Patented May 7,1918. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

yal/fara' www . a citizen of the United States, residin HOWAZIRD A. BURKHART, QF PETERSBURG, INDIANA.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELbPING-MACHINE.

L Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 7, 1918.

Application led November 12', 1917. Serial No. 201,560.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD A. BURKHART, at Petersburg, in the county of Pike and tate of Indiana, have invented certain new and u seful Improvements in Photographic Developing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a developing machine and is more particularly adapted for the tank developing of films in strips, wherein the film is immersed in the developing solution or agent, while standin sidewise in'a vertical plane in an extends condition.

In the usual method of developing Atilms in tanks, the film is rolled in a light proof apron, which is then placed in a solution cup.' To provide for the developin solution coming into contact with the the apron has a serrated rubber strip secured to each longitudinal edge. This rubber strip the metal spool carrying the apron and film is of suiicient thickness to space the convolutions of the apron, and the serrations permit the developing agent to pass to the film wound Within the apron.

To prepare the film for developing in the tank, the protective paper is first unrolled a sufficient distance so thatthe end of the film may be attached to the paper. The film is then placed in the holder and the end of the paper is then secured to the shaft of a metal spool. As the holder and s ool are preferably mounted in a light tight X, the lid is put on and the ilm is wound in lthe metal spool between the apron convolutions.

After the film has been .subjected to the action of the developer for a predetermined length of time at a specified temperature,

is removed from the solution cup. The apron and film are Washed, and the apron is unrolled to permit the removal of the film strip. l

At the same time it is necessary to separate the protective or backing paper from the film and apron. As the tank is often used by the amateur, who has little room in which to work, this causes a'litter that must he cleaned up after development. The apron has to he washed and dried.

'l`o overcome the disadvantages of tank development employing an apron, theinvention has for one ofits objects to provide a tanky without an apron and to provide for separating the paper backing from the film strip simultaneously with the unwinding of the lm paper from the film spool.

Another object is to provide a tank wherev in the ilm strip is positioned edgewise vertically in the developing solution or agent and supported in an extended fiat condition. A further object isto provide a tank,

'without an apron wherein two Elm strips may be simultaneously developed in an extended position, and passed vertically edgethe lm spools are unwound.

A still further. object is to provide a tank including lm spool holders with a vertically positioned division wall therein having rollers at each end over which passes an endless chain that carries clips adapted to be attached to one end of the paper and film strip for extending the iilm.

One purposel is 'to provide a tank with' suitable ports for ingress and egress of liquids which ports are so constructed that the danger of light fogging the photo- 'graphic film strip 1s eliminated when filling 'ameter than the rollers, a chain to coperate with the sprockets, a carrier connected to said chain and provided with film clips that are supported above the bottom of the receptacle by a roller carried at` the end of a vertical rod, said clips and rod being spaced from4 each other and from the chain, a plurality of spool holding elements, resilient means to coperate With the spools when upon said spool holders for preventing a too rapid unwinding of the films and apcr backing from the film spool, a plura ity of spaced guides adjacent the rounded end of the receptacle and adapted to engage with wise through the developing solution when rounded end with a p i andmoving the film and paper through the developing agent.

One practical form of construction and assembly will be described and. illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view with the cover removed and a portion ofthe division wall and one spool broken away,

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view onthe line 3-3 of Fig. 2, l

Fig, 4'is a sectional View on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2:J

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the spool holding devices and the resilient means for engaging with the spool and the filling pipe connected to the port,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the resiliert meansemployed for preventing a too rapid unwinding of the film spools, and

Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view showl ing the film clips in their spaced relation and the means of supporting them in a vertical direction with portions of the arms connecting the carrier to the chain.

Tn the preferred embodiment about to be described the developing machine comprises a tank that may be generally indicated A. The tank or receptacle A. is vapproximately rectangular 1n form and has one of its ends rounded as indicated at B. The tank may be formed of any suitable material and is provided on its upper side with a suitable opening. The edges of the receptacle A. forming the edges of this opening are provided with rabbets 10 which form shoulders that are adapted to engage with suitable shouldered portions `formed on the cover 11. The opening preferably extends over the greater portion of the top and adjacent the left or operating end is provided with a permanent cover indicated at 12.

The cover 11 which is made removable for the purpose of allowing access to the interior of the receptacle may be secured in proper position relative to the yreceptacle A so asfto provide a liquid light joint by any usual or customary means. One way of securing the cover in position is by means of the spring clips 13 shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The cover 11 is provided adjacent its urality of depending and spaced rollers 14. Two of thesel roll- 'ers are shown in Fig. 2 while in Fig. 1

three complementary rollers 15 are shown.

The rollers15 are secured to the bottom wall of the receptacle and are preferably in alinement with the rollers 14. These rollers serve to guide the paper backing and film strip 16 around the curved end so as to provide against undue bending of the film. These rollers 14 and 15 have their ends spaced apart, or in other words they do not contact at their ends. This is done to ,provide space for permitting the carrier to pass between the ends of the rollers when drawing the lms to their extended position.

Disposed within the receptacle A there is a division wall 17 that extends substantially throughout the greater portion of the length of the receptacle. This division wall may be constructed and attached to the bottom, wall 18 of the receptacle by means of the pedestals or supports 19, 20, and 21. The division wall 17 is thus supported above the'bottom wall 18, and the cover 11 is spaced above it.

At the ends of the division wall there are formed semi-circular grooves 22 and 221 respectively that extend vertically as indicated in Fig. 1. The ends of the groove 22 are partly closed by Hanges 23 and 24 that are adapted to provide bearings for the shaft 25. To permit the shaft 25 to be properly positioned within the flanges 23 and 24, the flanges are provided with open ended slots 27 and 28. Disposed within the semi-circular groove 22 there is a roller 29, and its roller is mounted on the shaft 25. The groove 22tl has its ends closed by the flanges 23a and 24a. The flanges have open ended slots 27a and 28 that are adapted to receive the shaft 26. This shaft carries a roller 30 that is rotatable in the groove 22a. These rollers are of a trifle less diameter than the semi-circular groove.

lntermediate the ends of theroller 29 it is provided with a suitable groove. This groove is provided with teeth that form a sprocket wheel 31. The roller 3() is provided with a sprocket 32 intermediate its ends, and this sprocket is in alinement with l the sprocket 31. To coperate with the sprockets 31 and 32 a chain 33 is provided. To enable the chain 33 to pass between the sprockets and lie below the surface of the ldivision wall 17, the division wall is provided on opposite sides with the grooves 34 and 35. The shaft 26 has its lower bearing in the pedestal or support 19 and its upper end is preferably squared as indicated at 36. To coperate with this squared end there is provided 'a socket 37 having a flange 38 to which is connected a suitable handle 39.

The socket 37 is provided with a square hole to engage with the squared end 36 of the shaft 26. The flange 38 is adapted to fit within-a hole or port 40 that is formed in a suitable upstanding portion 41 formed in the top or permanent cover 12. This projecting portion or annulus is provided exteriorly with screw threads and to cooperate with these threads there is a cap 42. The cap 42 is provided with a central, aperture through which passes the upstanding portion of the handle 39.

The construction just outlined will provide a light tight'port and the handle 39 will serve to drive the shaft 26 causing the chain 33 to move around the rollers 29 and 30. The chain 33 in moving around the rollers will also rotate them. The cap 42 will permit the removal of the handle 39, the flange 38, and the socket 37 from .engagement with the end of the shaft 26 and also from the cover 12.

To provide for attaching the end of the paper backing or protective strip for the film strip al carrier is provided which is shown more particularly in Fig. 7. There are provided two film or backing clips 43 and 44. These may be of any usual or customary type of construction and are preferably vcarried in a spaced relation by means of the arm 45. Extending from the arm 45 is a vertical member 46 that is provided at its lower end with a roller 47.

The vertical member 46 will thus serve as a support for the arm 45 carrying the film clips. The roller 47 is adapted to engage with the upper surface of the bottom wall' 18. To support. the clips in their proper vertical position and to attach the supporting member 46 to the chain the arms 48 and 49 areprovided. These arms 48 and 49 extend angularly from the member y46 to which they are fxedly secured. Their other ends are attached tothe chain 33 in any suitable or convenient manner. The arms 48 and 49 by their angularity will serve to position the arm 45 properly so as to move the two clips 43 and 44 simultaneously. And at the same time the support member 46 will maintain the clips in their `vertical position. l

The cover 12 carries adjacent one side two suitably mounted film spool holders. As shown these consist of the thumb nuts 50 and 5l attached to the upper end of the movable rods 52 and 53. The rod 52 is provided with a collar 54 and on the rod between the collar 54 and the cover 12 there is disposed a spring 55. The rod 53 is provided from the bottom wall 18 of the receptacle the standards 58 and 59 are employed. These Vstandards may be secured tothis bottom wall in a spaced relation in any suitable manner so that they will extend vertically.

' 'lhcir upper ends may be provided in any should be employed. One means is illustrated in Fig. 6 which shows a lsingle sheet of metal having its sides 62 and 63 bent at right angles to the base or body portion 64. These sides 62 and 63 are then curved as indicated at 65 and 66. These curvedpor tions should be substantially of the same curvature as the film spools 60 and 61.l To support this resilient restraining means the angle arms 67 and 68 are provided. The arm 67 is provided with a flat section 69 having the holes 70 therein, and the arm 68 is provided with a flat section 71 having the hole 72. The holes 70 ,and 72 may have passed therethrough any suitableY or usual fastenin means. are pre erably secured to the side wall 73 of the receptacle as shown more particularly inFig. 4.

The cover 12 is provided 4with a port from which extends a pipe 74 that extends downward and is bent toward the film sup- .ports 58 and 59 and terminates in a Y having the two outlets 75 and 76. The upper end of the pi e 74 may be secured 1n a These flat ends 69 and 71 sleeve or bushlng 77 which is further se cured in the port formed iny the cover 12. The sleeve or bushing 77 may be adapted to receive any usual or suitable closing devices such as a stopper (not shown).

The lower wall 18 may be provided adjacent the square end with a port to which is connected a pipe 78. This pipe 78 may be employed as means for emptying the solu- .tion from the tank when so desired. The

pipe 78 may be closed by any usual or convenient means, such as a stopper (not shown),

When it is desired to develop roll films such as are commonly used in hand cameras, the film spool is removed from the camera and engaged with the spool holders. The spools are placed upon the standards 58 and 59 andin order to hold them in proper position the shafts 52 and 53 are pulled up by means of their thumb nuts 50 and 51. When the spools are in proper position the shafts 52 and 53 will engage with the upper holes of the film spools. The protective paper from spool 61 is unwound and its end inserted im the clip 43.

' The end of -the paper for the spool 60 is placed in the clip 44. The cli/ps4?) and 44 are assumed to be adjacent the film spools 60 andjl. The cover 11 is replaced and the cover in a liquid tightengagement with the receptacle or tank A.

'llhe handle 39 is moved to rotate the shaft 26 Which causes the roller 30 to rotate and the sprocket 32 engaging with the chain 33 will cause the roller 31 to rotate. As the chain moves, the clip carrying device Will be moved and the Wheel 47 and the supporting standard 46 will serve to maintain the clips 43 and 44 in a vertical position. v The clips will then pull the paper and film along side the division Wall 17 around the roller 3ll and the guide rollers 14 and 15 thence down the opposite side of the division Wall 17. lhe carrier will then come to rest adjacent the startingend of the film butupon the opposite side of the division Wall 17.

As the tvvo films 16 and 16EL are drawn to their extended position the film carrier will cause the films that are being unwound from the spool 60 to be engaged with the guide rollers 14 and 15. 'lhe space between the ends of the guide rollers 14 and 15 Will permit the arm 45 to pass therebetween. These rollers 14 and 15 are preferably loosely mounted so that little friction is encountered as the film passes in contact With them.

The film being unwound from the spool 61 lies adjacent the sides of the division Wall 17 and in Contact with the roller 29. Thus it will be seen the necessity of having the roller 29 of sufficient size so that the im will not be unduly bent in passing around.`

As shown in the several views, the two films are spaced a sufcent distance apart so that the developer may reach the full surface of the sensitized film so that the developing action may take place simultaneously over the entire length of the film strip. 1t.

will be seen that the entire film surface is exposed to the action of the developer which has perfect freedom of access to all portions.

Again it Will be noticed that the film is drawn edgewise so that the film stands vertically and is spaced from the bottom Wall 18 of the tank. The developer may be introduced through the sleeve or bushing 77 and by means of the branches or outlets and 76 of the pipe 74 the developer will be directed more or less generally along the line of travel of the film. The action of the developing agent which is a liquidvvill tend to cause a separation of 'the paper from the film stripso that the two may be readily parted and withdrawn without making the litter that usually comes from developing with the apron type of tank.

1f desired the developer may be placed Within the tank as soon as the lm clips are attached to their respective terminals of the film spools and then the handle 39 operated to draw the carrier along one side of the Lacasse division Wall 17 and down the other. 1f desired the film may be extended prior to the introduction of the developing agent.

rlhe one particular feature of the device is that the film is drawn endwise through the tank and is properly supported at diderent points so that the developing agent does not have to flow throughany small openings to reach the film. llhus both of .the films are placed in a clear and unrestricted position so that the developing agent may have free access to the sensitized surface.

1n the construction shown the roller 30 may be dispensed with and the sprocket 32 simply secured upon the shaft 26 so as to cooperate With the chain and the grooves 34 and 35.

What li claim is:-

1. A photographic developing machine comprising a. tank including a cover, a film spool holder mounted adjacent one end of the tank, and means in the tank for drawing a film vertically endvvise in a horizontal plane through the tank.

2. A photographic developing machine, which comprises a tank including a cover, a film spool holder mounted adjacent one end of the tank, a division Wallextending longitudinally of the tank, and movable means in the tank adapted to engage with one end of the film for extending and positioning thel film upon opposite sides of the Wall.

3. A photographicl developing machine, which comprises a tank including a removable cover, means for removably retaining the cover on the tank, filling and emptying ports, a division Wall secured to the bottom wall of the tank and extending longitudinally thereof, said wall also being spaced from the side Walls and cover of the tank, a film carrier operable around the wall for unrolling and extending the film, means carried by the bottom Wall and cover adjacent one end serving to' uide and space the film intermediate its en s, and means for moving said carrier to extend the film vertically endWise. y

4. A `photographic developing machine, which comprises a tank having a cover, means for detachably holding said cover on the tank, a film spool holder mounted in the tank and adapted to hold the spool vertically, a division Wall secured in the tank and spaced from the wall thereof' and the cover, a shaft rotatably and removablv mounted at one end of the wall, said shaft being provided With a roller having a sprocket intermediate its ends, a shaft having a lsprocket thereon, said shaft being rotatably and removablv secured at the opposite end of the Wall, a chain to coperatc with the sprockets, said sprockets being substantially in alinement horizontally for maintaining the chain between theupper and lower sides of the division wall, a film carrier which includes a pair of spaced clips, a plurality of arms angularly extending from adjacent the clips and having their other ends connected to the chain, andmeans for moving the cha'in and carrier for unrolling and extending the film upon each side of the division Wall. v

5. A photographic developing machine, which comprises a tank having a cover, inlet and' outlet ports for the tank, a ipe connected to one of the ports, said pipe being curved and terminating in a Y, a plurality of film spool holders mounted in the tank each having means for releasably holding the spools, a longitudinally grooved division Wall Within the tank and supported'in a spaced relation to the Walls and cover thereof, a belt operable in the longitudinal grooves, one of the ends being concave and the edges forming flanges havingl openended slots, a shaft adapted to rotate in the slots, a roller on said shaft and provided centrally with a sprocket to engage with the belt, said roller operating 'in the concave end of the Wall, a film carrier comprising a U- shaped arm carrying clips at its outer ends,

a support member secured thereto and having at its lower end a roller for operating7 on the lower Wall of the tank, a plurality of arms angularly extending from the supw port and having their other ends connected to and in a spaced relation with said chain, means for guiding and spacing the films when inthe extended condition, and means for moving-said belt and film carrier.

6. A photographic developing machine, comprising a tank having a cover, a film spool holder carried by the Vbottom Wall lof the tank for holding spools Within said tank, 1

and means for drawing a film vertically end- Wise in a horizontal plane through the tank, said means including a movable film carrier, operable on the bottom Wall of the tank for supporting and spacing the lm above said bottom Wall.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tvv'o witnesses.

HOWARD A. BURKHART.

Witnesses HA'rrm BURKHART, RUBY GRAY. 

